Buttermarket Shopping Centre, Ipswich

Drum Property Group sold the Buttermarket centre in Ipswich to the National Grid Pension Fund for £54.7 million.

Drum Property Group acquired the Buttermarket centre for £9.2 million in March 2015 in a 50:50 joint venture with Capital & Regional. Since then £25 million has been invested to transform it into a new retail and leisure destination and social hub in the heart of Ipswich.

The redevelopment saw the introduction of a new state of the art 12-screen Empire cinema, and a new family dining offer which includes brands such as Byron Burger, Coast to Coast, New Look, Prezzo and Wagamama. The restaurants opened from Summer 2016 and continue to trade well.

Drum and Capital & Regional have also introduced a new 20,000 sq ft Pure Gym, which has increased footfall in the town centre, and secured long-term commitments from national retailers New Look and TK Maxx which now occupy larger units in the centre. The works have also included the re-modelling of the St Stephens Lane entrance to create a new piazza area.

Following the sale, Drum Property Group and Capital & Regional will continue to work with National Grid Pension Fund to complete the leasing of the centre.